FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[ncc58]

Gotta love the triple take today. NC is one of the teams most likely to be upset.   

Keith has been consistent in his comments about Elmhurst since the beginning of the season. We know Scottie Williams is a great back, but he hasn't had great success against NCC. We'll know if Elmhurst is a contender or if they have just feasted on a weak conference schedule. I don't see that Elmhurst has the talent to compete with NCC yet.

I think Millikin as well has feasted on a weak schedule. If TJ Stinde is in fact close to 100%, then IWU beats Millikin consistently. With Wheaton suffering key injuries, NCC and IWU are the top dogs in the CCIW by a wide margin.

[NCF]

Gotta love the triple take today. NC is one of the teams most likely to be upset.   

Keith has been consistent in his comments about Elmhurst since the beginning of the season. We know Scottie Williams is a great back, but he hasn't had great success against NCC. We'll know if Elmhurst is a contender or if they have just feasted on a weak conference schedule. I don't see that Elmhurst has the talent to compete with NCC yet.

I think Millikin as well has feasted on a weak schedule. If TJ Stinde is in fact close to 100%, then IWU beats Millikin consistently. With Wheaton suffering key injuries, NCC and IWU are the top dogs in the CCIW by a wide margin.

He's also been consistent in his comments about NC, since week one. It's all good motivation. BTW, IWU has also bellied up to the dessert bar in the non-conf. portion of the season. I think, IWU wins this one.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

I think it's funny that all you Bluejay fans will jump all over Jaybird for saying what he thinks, but none of you will step up and make your own predictions...even when asked:

So what are your predictions on this conference season?

With all due respect, New Tradition, our issue with 79JB's consistently pessimistic remarks is not, and has never been, about attacking one's right to an opinion - he certainly has the ability to express his negative thoughts on the internet and he clearly exercises that opportunity regularly. 

We do, however, quite simply take issue with half-hearted support and mis-guided (and all-to-often incorrect) information...in other words...PICK A LANE.  Cheering softly, under one's breath, from the back row, after the box score is posted, does not qualify as support.  Additionally, sharing regressive and often uniformed information under the disguise of supposed "insight" is just flat out inaccurate and irresponsible.

Look, i am all for educated, logical, and realistic analysis with regard to fan support, there's a delicate balance that exists there.  Unfortunately, as the primary chat board personality representing the 'Jays, 79JB has lost that balance, opting to veer towards negative energy, pessimistic language, and the re-hashing of seasons past.  BJ4E and i are simply hoping to present the antidote to this bleak and backwards vision of Bluejay football, and that one disenchanted voice does not speak for all of Bluejay fandom - that's all.

I get it - "until we actually win against the big boys..." i've heard it up and down this board a hundred times - and i understand that.  But BJ4E and i have both said it consistently - the past does not define the present, we choose positive perspective and full-hearted support, because we have played, coached, and cheered through the rough roads and know exactly how far the program has come first hand.  Call it optimism, that's fine, but i would choose that road any day.  What's more, the talent and experience of this group of players and coaches can finally begin to justify the optimistic view, with a realistic and logical baseline to support the wishful thinking that has always swirled around Langhorst Field.

As far as predictions go...typing little Ws or Ls next to an opponent doesn't do anything but allow you to puff out your chest when you are right and make excuses when you are wrong - not my thing.  Here's my prediction - the 'Jays are good enough and talented enough to win 'em all.  Can they? They can. Will they? We'll have to wait and see.  This i do know - i will be rooting like hell that they do, from the front, not from the back, and without apology or hesitation.

As far as Saturday night goes - really looking forward to facing the class of the conference.  NCC is a formidable opponent, no doubt about it, and i have a high level of respect for what Thorne and his staff have been able to do with regularity over the better part of the last decade.  All that said, the 'Jays have a legitimate shot with a ton of confidence and, for the first time in forever, a ton of experience.  Should be a great game, obviously you know which color i'll be wearing.

It's a Great Day to be a 'Jay.

[79jaybird]

Anybody else think Langhorst Ghost and BJ4Ever are a little off?
L-Ghost you make some mighty bold comments there and for the record, you're way off.  For 10 years nobody off the field and in the media promoted EC football and their players more than me.  I found ways to encourage the team during 58-0 and 62-0 scores at Augie, etc. Why? Hmm, let's see... love the for the Alma Mater and team, hope the kids would get better, etc.  So you're comments about me being Anti-Elmhurst or a poor Alum are WAY OFF. 
New Tradition, Cardinal Alum, Hiker Jim, Greg Sager, etc. and those who have met me, know I am very pro Elmhurst. 

Maybe if Elmhurst spent as much time criticizing me for being realistic and truthful,  as they do on the field of play, more wins would be forthcoming?

I was at 4 EC games last year.  None of them at EC. so it's not like I haven't seen the Jays in person. 

"The past does not define the present"  Ok.  I agree with some of this.  Presently Elmhurst is 3-0 against creampuff to semi-good teams in the grand scale.  Past non conf records have been 3-0 and what was the outcome?  Agreed, perhaps 2012 is differnet but what do have to go on? 

I hope Elmhurst can turn around the program.  No doubt.  But until they start winning crucial contests against the big boys, they are still just a middle of the pack team in the 8 horse race.

[79jaybird]

I have to agree with Keith that the CCIW has lost a step in comparing with other conferences.  Would love to see the conference as a whole get back up into the top 3. 

[79jaybird]

One last thing I will say L-Ghost is I see on Pick Em's nobody picked Elmhurst.
I think you and some of the other "once in a blue moon, fair weather EC fans" are confusing homerism, and a hope for EC, vs. reality.  I am a bluejay through and through.  However, I am not a homer and realize that Elmhurst (while getting better from what they were when you and I played),  they are not yet there.  I am sure everybody donning a current EC sweater hopes for a great season.  So does every other current coach and player in D-III.  Does that make every D-III team successful? 

[bluejay4ever]

Jaybird:  Isnt a chat room exactly for the irrational homer fans that believe in something that has not been done?

I understand realism here and yes I drink the Blue Kook Aid, I also know that if the Jays lose you are going to say I told you so and so is everyone else on here. I don't know if they will win, all I know this is their best shot. I have said that in prior posts.

I am going to keep writing my posts the same way because I can be irrational on here until it is proven that I can not be with W's and L's. Why not us, why not this year?  I guess according to your logic we should just not show up because history says the Jays will lose.  This is why we play the games. Are the Jays going undefeated this year?  Probably not, can I hope yes.
As for the pick em board, I don't know where it is. So here you all go
Jays 27-NC 24
Wheaton 34- Augie- 17
IWU 46 – Millikin 31
Cathage 17 – NP 3

Again I am going to remind you this is a chat room, I am here to pound my chest, show some Jays pride, and hope for good things. If they lose or end up 6-4 I will eat my crow with a side of ketchup. Until then Go Jays! I also think others on here say Jaybird is being realistic which is fine. I am just saying it reads with negative undertones and seems smirk. Almost as if you enjoy it. That is all I am saying.

[NCF]

Jaybird:  Isnt a chat room exactly for the irrational homer fans that believe in something that has not been done?

I understand realism here and yes I drink the Blue Kook Aid, I also know that if the Jays lose you are going to say I told you so and so is everyone else on here. I don’t know if they will win, all I know this is their best shot. I have said that in prior posts.

I am going to keep writing my posts the same way because I can be irrational on here until it is proven that I can not be with W’s and L’s. Why not us, why not this year?  I guess according to your logic we should just not show up because history says the Jays will lose.  This is why we play the games. Are the Jays going undefeated this year?  Probably not, can I hope yes.
As for the pick em board, I don’t know where it is. So here you all go
Jays 27-NC 24
Wheaton 34- Augie- 17
IWU 46 – Millikin 31
Cathage 17 – NP 3

Again I am going to remind you this is a chat room, I am here to pound my chest, show some Jays pride, and hope for good things. If they lose or end up 6-4 I will eat my crow with a side of ketchup. Until then Go Jays! I also think others on here say Jaybird is being realistic which is fine. I am just saying it reads with negative undertones and seems smirk. Almost as if you enjoy it. That is all I am saying.

This is great for the board! I don't see NC's defense giving up that many points unless they spend the night on a short field. Me, I'd really like to see the O put up some big numbers and eliminate the turnovers. Go Cards!!!

[bluejay4ever]

This is great for the board! I don't see NC's defense giving up that many points unless they spend the night on a short field. Me, I'd really like to see the O put up some big numbers and eliminate the turnovers. Go Cards!!!
[/quote]

I would prefer if your O puts up big numbers starting next week!

[Big Blue Boy]

This is great for the board! I don't see NC's defense giving up that many points unless they spend the night on a short field. Me, I'd really like to see the O put up some big numbers and eliminate the turnovers. Go Cards!!!

I would prefer if your O puts up big numbers starting next week!
[/quote]

I would prefer they don't...score at will this week and use them all up before coming to Decatur!

[NCF]

This is great for the board! I don't see NC's defense giving up that many points unless they spend the night on a short field. Me, I'd really like to see the O put up some big numbers and eliminate the turnovers. Go Cards!!!

I would prefer if your O puts up big numbers starting next week!
[/quote] Yea, you and everyone else in the conf. except MU.

[kiko]

Interesting interview here with one of the NFL replacement referees.

(This is mostly off-topic, but given the official's DIII ties, qualifies as quasi-related.)

http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/09/28/my-life-as-a-replacement-ref-three-unlikely-months-inside-the-nfl/

---

As for this:

Sorry but I just don't see it beng competitive.  Weenies are too deep for the Blue Crayons.  Blue might be on the right path but they're not ready for this game.  Just my two cents.  Weenies by three touchdowns. 


-CA

Blue Crayons...might be my favorite nickname for a CCIW team.

... I'm going with the Pantones.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

One last thing I will say L-Ghost is I see on Pick Em's nobody picked Elmhurst.
I think you and some of the other "once in a blue moon, fair weather EC fans" are confusing homerism, and a hope for EC, vs. reality.  I am a bluejay through and through.  However, I am not a homer and realize that Elmhurst (while getting better from what they were when you and I played),  they are not yet there.  I am sure everybody donning a current EC sweater hopes for a great season.  So does every other current coach and player in D-III.  Does that make every D-III team successful?

i guess i just miss the old Jaybird, that's all - the Jaybird i used to know was optimistic, always looking at the Bluejay program through blue-tinted glasses and representing EC with pride and with purpose and with a positive perspective - i want that Jaybird back on the boards, waving the EC flag.

[Gregory Sager]

I'll be back on the "air" again today for NPU @ Carthage starting at 1 pm, audio only. Here's the link to NPU's webstream.

[bluejay4ever]

A great app for your phone is DIII Scorecast. You can follow your fav team as well as be one touch away from any audio broadcast for every game. It is great!